SE442209B - PARTICULAR ALKALIC DETERGENT COMPOSITION - Google Patents

Description

7811594-6 2 calcium phosphate salts, which can be deposited on the washed fabrics, and in addition a reduced washing effect is obtained due to insufficient softening of the water, which is sometimes accompanied by precipitation of insoluble calcium salts of anionic detergent compounds.

On the other hand, when a condensate phosphate builder is used in conjunction with certain non-phosphate builders, the former may prevent the latter from working effectively, especially in the case of other builders which act by precipitating the calcium salt, e.g. carbonate. In addition, there are relatively few other detergents for the detergent effect which are completely acceptable for environmental reasons and which are good enough to be worth using, even for partial replacement of a builder in the form of a condensed phosphate.

In recent years, work and expenses have been devoted to solving these problems, whereby a large number of new materials have been synthesized and evaluated. However, it would inevitably take several years to approve a completely new material for household use, and for this reason recent concentrations have been made on known materials with low or no phosphate content, which act as builders either by sequestration, precipitation or ion exchange. and which are known to be_safe from an environmental point of view.

According to one aspect of the invention, it has now been found possible to achieve effective detergent properties in reducing the content of phosphate builders by using a partially neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate salt in combination with an alkali metal carbonate salt in defined proportions. Since both of these materials are well known per se, there are no problems with environmental damage, provided that the compositions do not provide excessive alkaline solutions during use. Although both of the essential building agents for the washing effect are also so-called precipitating builders, ie. they inactivate calcium hardness ions by the formation of insoluble calcium salts, the precipitate can be easily prevented from depositing on the clothes to an unacceptably high degree.

According to a further aspect of the invention, particulate detergent compositions are provided which contain higher levels of partially neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate salts together with alkali metal carbonate salts which can be prepared with increased buildup properties for the washing effect and yet with reduced energy consumption compared to sodium.

The particulate alkaline detergent compositions of the invention are prepared using from about 15% to about 50% orthophosphate salt, from over about 20% to about 50% of an alkali metal carbonate salt and from about 5% to about 40% of a synthetic detergent surfactant, all of which percentage refers to the total detergent composition of a partially neutralized alkali metal site. The degree of alkalinity in the detergent compositions should be such that the pH of a 0.1% aqueous solution of the composition is 9.25 - 10.5.

British Patent Specification 1,412,401 proposed to prepare detergent compositions containing from 5 to 15% orthophosphate salts and 20 to 45% by weight of alkaline salts, for example sodium carbonate, to obtain a pH of at least 9.2 in use. These compositions had a particularly low phosphate content and were also intended for use at low product concentrations. However, it has been shown that such phosphate levels were unnecessarily low in order to satisfy the legislation that is now expected to enter into force in many countries. In addition, at higher product concentrations, which are common in many European countries, the products of British Patent Specification 14.42.40l were less effective than desirable compared to other compositions with higher phosphate content based on sodium tripolyphosphate alone as builders for the detergent effect. According to the present invention, compositions with higher, i.e. over 15%, phosphate content, which has more effective building properties with respect to the washing effect. The partially neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate salt used is either a potassium or preferably a sodium orthophosphate salt, since the latter is cheaper and more readily available. It is preferred to use some or all of the disodium monohydrogen orthophosphate in the preparation of the compositions, although a portion may be neutralized during the powder preparation to form the trialkali metal salt or a certain portion of the latter may be present initially provided the pH is not too high. high. Alternatively, mono- or mixed mono- and dialkali metal orthophosphate salts may be used if desired to prepare the compositions.

If too much monosodium diethyl salt is used, the pH may drop significantly, in which case more alkaline material must be added.

It may be advantageous to use as a source of the alkali metal orthophosphate salts a mixture of disodium and monosodium hydrogen orthophosphate in a molar ratio of about 1: 3 to 2: 3, especially about 1: 2, since such a mixture is commercially available and is prepared as a raw material in manufacture of sodium tripolyphosphate, where it is known as "kiln-feed". This results in valuable cost savings, since energy that was otherwise used to convert the said product to sodium tripolyphosphate is saved. The invention therefore comprises a process for preparing the compositions according to the invention, wherein the partially neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate salt used is a mixture of the mono- and disodium salts described above.

The alkali metal orthophosphate salt used in the preparation of the detergent compositions may be in the form of anhydrous or hydrated salts, for example in the form of disodium monohydrogen orthophosphate dodecahydrate. It should be understood that hydration or dehydration may also occur during the detergent treatment, but the amounts of the orthophosphate salts are calculated in 40 ° C; 7811594-6 G1 the anhydrous form.

While the amount of the alkali metal orthophosphate salt can be varied quite generally in the range from about 15% to about 50%, it is preferred to have a maximum orthophosphate salt content of about 30% by weight, which corresponds to a maximum phosphorus content in the compositions of about 6% by weight. It is particularly preferred to have an alkali metal orthophosphate content of about 20-25%, i.e. about 4 - 5% phosphorus in the compositions. It should be understood that these phosphorus levels are well below those commonly used when using sodium tripolyphosphate as a builder for the detergent effect, i.e. at levels which, until very recently, were generally above 30% of the compositions.

When higher levels of the alkali metal orthophosphate salts are used, especially in the range of about 30-50%, the compositions are particularly useful as so-called soaking / pre-washing compositions, as they are used at relatively low product concentrations to assist in soil removal prior to normal washing. Otherwise, they can be used as conventional textile washing compositions such as those in which the water exhibits high hardness and there are no problems with phosphate eutrophication. Use of the partially neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate salt prevents excessive alkalinity, especially when higher levels of orthophosphate salt are present.

The alkali metal carbonate salt used is potassium or preferably sodium carbonate or a mixture thereof. The carbonate salt is preferably fully neutralized, but it may contain a certain amount of potassium or sodium bicarbonate or sesquicarbonate. Although the amount of the alkali metal carbonate salt may be varied between about 20% and about 50% by weight of the compositions, it is preferred to use an amount of about 25% to about 45% by weight, depending on the type of composition to be prepared. Lower levels of carbonate salt in the range of about 20 to about 30% are normally used when using higher levels of orthophosphate salt. The amount of alkali metal carbonate is determined on an anhydrous basis, although the carbonate salts may be hydrated either before or during incorporation with the detergent compositions. The detergent compositions of the invention necessarily contain from about 5% to about 40%, preferably not more than about 25%, e.g. about 10 to about 20%, by weight, of a synthetic anionic, nonionic amphoteric or zwitterionic detergent surfactant or a mixture thereof. It is especially preferred to use a nonionic detergent surfactant either alone or in admixture with other anionic detergent surfactants in low foaming compositions. Many suitable detergent surfactants are commercially available and are fully described in the literature, for example in Schwartz, Perry & Berch, "Surface Active Agents and Detergents", volumes I and II.

The preferred nonionic detergent surfactants which may be used in the compositions include in particular the reaction products of compounds having a hydrophobic group and a reactive hydrogen atom, for example aliphatic alcohols, acids, amides or alkylphenols with alkylene oxides, especially ethylene oxide either alone or together with propylene oxide. Specific nonionic detergent surfactants are alkyl (C6-C22) -phenol-ethylene oxide condensate, with generally 5 ~ 25 EO, i.e. 5 to 25 units of ethylene oxide per molecule; condensation products of aliphatic (C6-C18) primary or secondary linear or branched alcohols with ethylene oxide, generally 6 to 30 E0, and products prepared by condensation of ethylene oxide with reaction products of propylene oxide and ethylenediamine. Andra s.k. Nonionic detergent surfactants include long chain tertiary amine oxides, long chain tertiary phosphine oxides and dialkyl sulfoxides. Mixtures of amine oxides with ethoxylated nonionic compounds can also be used. _ u-- _ - Ä - 1 "- =, -, -; _- ¿~ - ~ ------ ~ --- ~ -.: '¿J_. Vi V Äqç) ~ ñ * - i_ \ ~ \ _.

The anionic detergent surfactants that can be used are usually water-soluble alkali metal salts of organic sulfate and sulfonate having alkyl groups containing from about 8 to 22 carbon atoms, the term "alkyl" being used to include the alkyl moiety of higher acyl groups. Examples of suitable synthetic anionic detergent surfactants are sodium and potassium alkyl sulphate, especially those obtained by sulphating higher (C8-C18) alcohols prepared, for example, from tallow or coconut oil; sodium and potassium alkyl (C 8 -C 20) benzenesulfonate, especially sodium linear secondary alkyl (C 10 -C 15) benzenesulfonate; sodium alkyl glyceryl ether sulphate, in particular the ethers of higher alcohols derived from tallow or coconut oil and synthetic alcohols derived from petroleum; sodium coconut oil fatty acid monoglyceride sulphate and sulphonate; reaction products of sodium and potassium salts of sulfuric acid esters of higher (C8-C18) fatty alcohols and alkylene oxide, in particular ethylene oxide; reaction products of fatty acids such as coconut fatty acids esterified with isethionic acid and neutralized with sodium hydroxide; sodium and potassium salts of methyl taurine fatty acid amides; alkane monosulfonates such as those resulting from the reaction of α-olefins (C8-C20) with sodium hydrogen sulfite and those resulting from the reaction of paraffins with SO2 and C12 and subsequent hydrolysis with a base to form a random sulfonate; and olefin sulfonate, which term is used to describe the materials prepared by reacting olefins, especially C8-C20 arolefins, with SO 3 and subsequent neutralization and hydrolysis of the reaction product. The preferred anionic detergent surfactants are sodium (C 10 -C 15) alkylbenzenesulfonate and sodium (C 2 -C 18) alkyl sulfate.

Quantities of amphoteric or zwitterionic detergent surfactants can also be used in the compositions of the invention, but this is not normally desirable due to their relatively high cost. If any amphoteric or zwitterionic detergent surfactants are used, it is generally in minor amounts in compositions based on the much more commonly used synthetic anionic and / or nonionic detergent surfactants.

Some soaps can also be used in the compositions according to the invention but not as the only detergent surfactants.

Soaps are particularly useful at low levels in binary and ternary mixtures together with nonionic or mixed synthetic anionic and nonionic detergent surfactants which have low foaming properties. The soaps used are the sodium or, less desirably, the potassium salts of C10-C24 fatty acids. It is particularly preferred that the soaps should be based mainly on the more long chain fatty acids within this range, i.e. with at least half of the soap with carbon chain lengths of 16 or more. This is most conveniently accomplished by the use of soaps from natural sources such as tallow, palm oil or rapeseed oil, which may be cured, together with minor amounts of other short chain soaps made from nut oils such as coconut oil or palm kernel oil.

The amount of such soaps can be varied between about 0.5% and about 25%, calculated on the weight, with lower amounts corresponding to about 0.5 - 5% usually being sufficient for foam control. Quantities of soap between about 2 and about 20%, especially between about 5 and about 15%, are preferably used to obtain a beneficial effect on the washing effect.

Apart from the detergent surfactants and detergent builders, the compositions of the invention may contain any of the conventional additives in the amounts in which such materials are normally used in detergent compositions for laundry. _Exempel of such additives include lather boosters such as alkanolamides, particularly the monoethanolamides derived from palm kernel fatty acids and coconut fatty acids, lödderminskande such as alkyl phosphate, waxes and silicones, smutsåteravsättnings- preventing agents such as sodium carboxymethylcellulose and polyvinyl pyrrolidone, oxygen-based bleaching agents such as sodium perborate and sodium percarbonate, persyrablekningsför- stage compounds, chlorine-releasing bleaching agents such as trichloroisocyanuric acid and alkali metal salts of dichloroisocyanuric acid, fabric softeners, inorganic salts such as sodium sulfate and magnesium silicate and, usually in minor amounts, fluorescent agents, perfumes, enzymes such as colorimetics and amylases.

It is particularly advantageous to incorporate with the detergent compositions a quantity of sodium percarbonate, preferably in an amount between about 10 and about 40 hours, for example about 15 to about 30%, based on the weight of the compositions. It has been found that the effectiveness of sodium percarbonate is increased in these compositions. In addition, when the sodium percarbonate loses its oxygen during use, the remaining sodium carbonate helps to preserve the alkalinity of the washing solution.

It is desirable to add one or more antifouling agents to the detergent compositions of the invention to reduce a tendency to form inorganic deposits on washed fabrics. The most effective antifoulants are anionic polyelectrolytes, especially polymeric aliphatic carboxylates, which appear to stabilize the suspensions of insoluble calcium salts and thereby prevent their deposition on the textiles.

The amount of any such antifouling agent is normally from about 0.05 to about 5% by weight, preferably from about 0.1 to about 2%, based on the compositions.

Specific preferred antifouling agents are alkali metal or ammonium, preferably sodium salts of homo- and copolymers of acrylic acid or substituted acrylic acids, e.g. sodium polyacrylate, the sodium salt of copolymethacrylamide / acrylic acid and sodium poly-d-hydroxyacrylate, salts of copolymers of maleic anhydride with ethylene, vinyl methyl ether or styrene, especially 1: 1 copolymers, and optionally with partial esterification of the carboxyl groups.

Such copolymers generally have molecular weights in the range of about 2,000 to 500,000. Other antifouling agents include sodium salts of polymaleic acid, polyitaconic acid and polyaspartic acid, phosphate esters of ethoxylated aliphatic alcohols, polyethylene glycol phosphate esters and certain phosphonates such as sodium ethane-1-hydroxyethonethyl -phosphonobutane tricarboxylate. Blankings of organic phosphonic acids or substituted acrylic acids or their salts with protective colloids such as gelatin are described in British patent no. 1536 136. The most preferred antifouling agent is sodium powder acrylate having a molecular weight of about 10,000 to 50,000, for example about 20,000 to 30,000. It is also possible to provide the detergent compositions of the invention with minor amounts of other phosphates or builders for the non-phosphate type detergent effect, which may later be either so-called precipitating builders or builders of sequestering type or ion exchange type.

Low levels of alkali metal tripolyphosphate or pyrophosphate may be present together with the alkali metal orthophosphate as impurities, for example in levels up to about 5% by weight, but it is preferred not to have these present in the compositions. The presence of other non-phosphate type builders can be beneficial when it is desired to increase the washing effect while maintaining a relatively low level of the alkali metal orthophosphate and without using excessive levels of alkali metal carbonate due to the high alkalinity which would otherwise cause it. Examples of other detergent builders that can be used in these circumstances are amine carboxylates such as sodium nitrilotriacetate, and sodium aluminosilicate ion exchange materials, e.g. zeolites A and X. However, such other detergent builders are not essential and it is a particular advantage of the compositions of the invention that satisfactory detergent build-up properties can be obtained with the mixed alkali metal orthophosphate and alkali metal carbonate buildup salts at lower phosphate salts. hitherto considered necessary without 7811594-6 ll other builders of the non-phosphate type.

It is also generally desirable to incorporate with the detergent compositions a quantity of an alkali metal silicate, especially sodium ortho-, meta- or preferably neutral or alkaline silicates. The more highly alkaline ortho- and metasilicates are normally used only in minor concentrations, in admixture with the neutral and alkaline silicates. The presence of such alkali metal silicates, usually at levels from about 5 to about 15% by weight of the compositions, is advantageous in reducing of corrosion of the metal parts in washing machines in addition to providing process advantages and generally improved powder properties. However, the presence of the alkali metal silicates in the compositions of the invention may contribute to increased inorganic deposits on the laundry and it is therefore preferred to use only low levels of such silicates, if present, for example not more than about 10% by weight of the compositions.

The compositions according to the invention must be alkaline but not too strongly alkaline, as this can result in damage to the textiles and can also be dangerous for household use. In practice, the compositions should give a pH of from 9 to 11 when used in aqueous washing solution. It is especially preferred for household products to have a minimum pH of at least about 9.25 and especially a pH of 9.5 or above, since lower pH values tend to be less effective for optimal build-up of the washing effect, as well as a maximum pH of about 10 , 5. The pH shall be measured at the lowest normal use concentration of 0,1% (w / v) for the product in the ratio of 12 ° H (Ca) (French permanent hardness, calcium only) at SOOC, so that a satisfactory degree of of alkalinity can be ensured when used at all normal product concentrations. The pH of the detergent compositions in use is controlled by the amount and type of the partially neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate and the alkali metal carbonate and the other alkaline salts which may be present, e.g. alkali metal silicate and sodium perborate or sodium percarbonate.

WW.,. _ f ........,,., _ .__ .VH _.___._..........___-._........._ .. _2991? It should be understood that due to the high alkalinity of the compositions according to the invention, the other components of the compositions should of course be selected with respect to their alkaline stability, especially in the case of pH-sensitive materials such as enzymes.

The detergent compositions of the invention should be in particulate form, which comprises powders and granules, and they may be prepared by conventional means, for example by granulation or by preparing a slurry and spray drying it. Dry mixing of the components can also be used, especially for products to be sold in individual dosage packages such as sachets, but this is not recommended for products sold to the consumer in large quantities for dosing during use, due to potential segregation problems and due to of the products' less uniform appearance. It is to be understood that if preparation of the detergent compositions is carried out in the presence of moisture, the components may react with each other, for example the partially neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate salts may be further neutralized by other more alkaline components which may be present.

The invention is further illustrated by the following examples, in which parts and percentages are by weight and the amounts of the components are expressed on an anhydrous basis, unless otherwise indicated.

Examples 1 and 2.

A particulate detergent composition was prepared in such a way that a slurry was first prepared and then dried, having the following nominal composition: 7811594-6 13 Components in. _ 1, - Clz-C15-alkonol 8 EO -Û ..

Disodium orthophosphate 20.0 Sodium carbonate 35.0 Sodium percarbonate 25.0 Sodium carboxymethylcellulose 1.5 Sodium polyacrylate 1.0 Sodium alkyl phosphate 0.5 Fluorescent agent 0.5 Water to 100.0 IU 4 6 of the nonionic detergent surfactant was included in the spray dried powder and the remaining powder. the amount of 6% was sprayed on the finished product. 2Added after spray drying This composition (Example 1) was tested for washing power at a product concentration of 0.4% in water with a hardness of 25 ° H (Ca ++: Mg ++; 4: 1) at 95 ° C and was found to be equivalent to a commercial product containing 34% sodium tripolyphosphate. The powder was also examined for inorganic deposits after several washing cycles. The latter tests were also performed in an automatic washing machine (rotating drum) at a product concentration of 0.6% in 35 ° H water (Ca ++: Mg ++; 4: 1) at 95 ° C using naturally soiled laundry. The results after 10 washing cycles showed an inorganic deposit corresponding to 1.8%, which was favorable in relation to the product commercially available with sodium tripolyphosphate (2.2%). After 20 washing cycles, the corresponding figures were 3.3% resp. 4.9%, which still showed a marked advantage for the composition according to the invention despite its high content of precipitating build-up salts. The same laundry was also examined for dirt re-deposition from the naturally soiled clothes, by measuring the change in light reflectance after both 10 and 20 wash cycles, it being found that the product of the invention gave significantly less re-deposition than the compared commercially available product. _1% c) <:} 2 c>:% ZLI;: í; L '1-? Sy1s94-6 14 An additional powder (Example 2) was prepared with a similar composition but with the content of nonionic surfactant reduced from 10 to 4% and with 6% sodium alkylbenzene sulfonate added instead. In addition, 3% sodium tallow soap was added and the amount of sodium percarbonate was correspondingly reduced to 22%. This composition was also found to have good fabric washing and bleaching properties despite the low phosphate content.

Both compositions were superior to the commercial product of sodium tripolyphosphate in bleaching tea-stained fabrics, with the increase in light reflectance being 6.3 resp. 8.2 units larger for examples 1 and 2 respectively.

Examples 3 and 4.

Two compositions were prepared by dry mixing the components according to the same composition as in Example 1 except that the amount of disodium orthophosphate was increased to 25 and 25 g, respectively. 30% and the amount of sodium carbonate was reduced to 30 resp. 25% in Examples 3 and 4. The products were evaluated for textile washing properties in a "Terg-O-Tomatoes" in comparison with the product of Example 1, a first control composition containing only 10% disodium orthophosphate and 45% of the sodium carbonate was used but otherwise the composition was the same as in Examples 3 and 4, and a second control composition containing 30% sodium tripolyphosphate as builder with 25% sodium perborate, at 4 g / liter I in water with a hardness of 25 ° H at 80-85 ° C. The products of both Examples 3 and 4 were found to have slightly better washing effect properties on artificially soiled test fabrics compared to Example 1, significantly better washing effect than the first control product and significantly improved bleaching properties compared to the second control product.

Examples 5 - 7.

The compositions of Examples 3 and 4 were varied as follows; ... PCR Q 1 obtained that the sodium percarbonate of Example 3 was first changed to sodium perborate (Example 5), secondly they were changed in 10% nonionic surfactant in Example 4 to 6 Q sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate and 4% of the same nonionic detergent surfactants (Example 6) and thirdly, the 10% nonionic surfactant in Example 4 was changed to 10% sodium alkylbenzenesulfonate and also the levels of disodium orthophosphate and sodium carbonate were changed to 15.5% respectively. 40% (Example 7).

The products were evaluated for washing effect and bleaching properties in a "Terg-O-Tometer" and good results were again obtained. However, use of the perborate in Example 5 was found to give marginally less good bleaching on the test cloths and the reduction of the nonionic surfactant content in Example 6 was found to give somewhat worse but still good results in terms of washing effect. The product of Example 7 was found to have very good washing properties despite its low phosphorus content when evaluated against a similar product containing 30% sodium tripolyphosphate as a builder for the washing effect.

Examples 8 - 10.

Three products were prepared according to the same compositions as in Examples 1, 3 and 3, respectively. 4, except that the disodium orthophosphate was replaced by "kiln-feed", ie. mixed disodium and monosodium hydrogen phosphate (ratio about 1: 2). Valuation tests showed that the products according to Examples 8 - 10 gave washing solutions with lower pH (0.3 - 0.4 units) compared to Examples 1, 3 and 4. Apart from that, an advantage was obtained but no significant change in the washing effect. when using "kiln-feed" instead of disodium orthophosphate.

Examples 11 - 13.

A detergent composition (Example 11) was prepared by dry mixing to the same composition as in Example 1, except that the sodium polyacrylate was omitted. To this composition was added either 1.0% sodium copoly (1: 1) -vinylmethyl ether maleate (in Example 12) or 1.0% sodium polyacrylate (molecular weight about 25,000) (in Example 13). The amount of inorganic deposit on cotton terry cloth was then determined in comparison with the control composition containing 30% sodium tripolyphosphate and 25% sodium perborate and the following results were obtained (product dosage 6 g / liter in 35 ° H water at 80 ~ ss ° c ) = '% provisions Exemgel 5 washes 10 washes 20 washes 11 4.2's, o 10.4 12 l, 3 _ 2.0 _ 2.5 l3 1.2 2.3 2.6 Control 0.6 2 These results show the beneficial results of incorporating a soil redeposition inhibitor into the products of the invention.

Claims (16)

Claim 1. Particulate alkaline detergent composition containing an alkali metal lortophosphate salt, an alkali metal carbonate salt and a detergent surfactant, characterized in that it is prepared from 15 to 50% of a neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate salt, 20 to 50% of an alkali metal carbonate salt, 5 to 40% of a synthetic detergent surfactant and 0.05 to 5% of a soil release inhibitor, all percentages being by weight of the total detergent composition; wherein the pH of a 0.1% aqueous solution of the composition is 9.25-10.5. 2. A composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the partially neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate salt consists of disodium monohydrogen orthophosphate or a mixture thereof with monosodium dihydrogen orthophosphate. 3. A composition according to claim 2, characterized in that the partially neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate salt consists of a mixture of disodium and monosodium hydrogen orthophosphate in the molar ratio of approximately 1: 3 and 3, respectively. 2: 3 parts. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains not more than about 30% by weight of the partially neutralized alkali metal orthophosphate salt. 5. A composition according to claim 4, characterized in that it contains 20 to 25% by weight of the orthophosphate salt. Composition according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it contains from 30 to 50% of the orthophosphate salt. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims,. in_._....._.._._..._...._.._....._._....._. 7811594-6 It is known that the alkali metal carbonate salt is sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate or a mixture thereof. å. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the amount of alkali metal carbonate salt is from 25 to 45% by weight of the composition. 9. A composition according to claim 8, characterized in that it contains from 20 to 30% of the alkali metal carbonate salt. 10. lO. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains from S to 25% of a nonionic detergent surfactant. 11. ll. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains from 0.5 to 25% by weight of soap. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains from 10 to 40% by weight of sodium percarbonate. A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains not more than about 10% by weight of sodium silicate. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the soil release inhibitor is a polymeric aliphatic carboxylate. 15. A composition according to claim 14, characterized in that the polymeric aliphatic carboxylate consists of an alkali metal or ammonium salt of a homo- or copolymer of acrylic acid or a substituted acrylic acid. 7811594-6 19 A composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains not more than about 5% by weight of alkali metal tripolyphosphate or pyrephosphate.